I do this type of work on the coast of California and it does take time to get right. The minimum turn around time for a simple property from the time it is purchased to having a trail on the ground is about two years. The first spring and summer are spent doing botanical and other studies to make sure you get a trail alignment that is good for the environment. Then, if you have money for construction the second summer is for building the trail.

Lots of things can make this take longer such as lining up money for the studies and construction, endangered species, neighbors afraid of the new people on the trails and more. And, you can only build so much trail each year.